Detective Conan: Shadow Legion Office

71: Chapter 71 A Date with Sonoko SuzukiIn the open-air tea room of the Lin Family Manor, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the grapevines, casting dappled shadows on the white wicker chairs.

Lin Long held a freshly brewed cup of matcha, his fingertips grazing the warm cup wall, and as he listened to Suzuki Sonoko’s frustrated voice on the other end of the line, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips involuntarily.

”Mr. Lin Long, you have no idea how depressed I am!”

Suzuki Sonoko’s voice came through the receiver, carrying the charming, naive complaints typical of a young girl.

”We clearly agreed to go to that newly opened French restaurant this weekend, and I’d even picked out my dress! But then all those ‘clowns’ suddenly popped up. Now, the whole of Tokyo is under martial law. Forget the restaurant; even going out to buy a bottle of milk means being questioned by soldiers for ages!”

Lin Long set down his teacup, his fingertips tapping gently on the tabletop, his tone as gentle as an afternoon breeze:

”It is indeed a pity, but don’t worry, Sonoko. That restaurant isn’t going anywhere. Once the martial law order is lifted, I’ll take you there immediately, and I’ll have the chef prepare a special dessert for you. How does that sound?”

”Really?”

Suzuki Sonoko’s voice lit up instantly, like a lit firework. ”It’s a deal then! No backing out!”

”Of course, no backing out.”

Lin Long chuckled.

”Besides, the martial law order won’t last long. They can’t just keep everyone locked up at home forever, right?”

”That’s true, but...”

Suzuki Sonoko’s tone dropped again.

”But I just want to go out and have fun. Staying at home every day is going to make me moldy!”

”Sonoko, don’t keep pestering Mr. Lin Long. He might have things to do.”

Suzuki Ayako’s slightly helpless voice came from the other end of the line, clearly reminding her younger sister to mind her manners.

Hearing Ayako’s voice, Lin Long’s smile deepened:

”It’s fine, I happen to be free today.”

He paused, deliberately drawing out his tone with a hint of just the right amount of temptation.

”Since Sonoko wants to go out, why don’t... you two come over to my place? The manor might not be as lively as the outside world, but there’s a garden, a swimming pool, and a private chef. I’ll have the kitchen prepare some delicious food, and we can consider it fulfilling our promise early. How about it?”

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, clearly the sisters exchanging looks.

”Can we?”

Suzuki Sonoko’s voice carried a cautious anticipation. ”Would it be too much trouble for you?”

”Of course not.”

Lin Long’s voice was so gentle it could melt.

”I have plenty of space here; it’ll be livelier with two more people. Why don’t you come too, Miss Ayako? It’s a perfect chance to try that batch of Longjing tea I just acquired.”

This time, Suzuki Ayako didn’t refuse, her gentle voice coming through the receiver:

”Then we’ll have to trouble you, Mr. Lin Long.”

”It’s no trouble at all. Shall I have someone come pick you up?”

”No need, no need, we have our own car!”

Suzuki Sonoko immediately cut in, her tone full of excitement. ”We’ll set off right away!”

After hanging up, Lin Long looked at the ”Sonoko” contact on his phone screen, a hint of playfulness flashing in his eyes.

Suzuki Sonoko, this innocent, bubbly young lady, was like a vibrant little sun; when around her, even the air seemed to become lighter.

Teasing such a young girl could be considered a bit of a diversion from his dull plans.

Besides, he had already captured Suzuki Ayako, and now only Suzuki Sonoko was left. After all, a family should be kept together.

Lin Long stood up and walked to the window, giving a few instructions to the outside, telling the servants to prepare tea and snacks, and to open the parasols in the garden—after all, for someone like the ”looks-obsessed” Suzuki Sonoko, exquisite details were the best way to impress her.

...

Two hours later, a black stretched Bentley slowly drove into the gate of the Lin Family Manor.

After the car stopped, the bodyguard got out first to open the door. Suzuki Sonoko hopped out first, wearing a goose-yellow dress with delicate lace trim on the hem, the sunlight shining on her chestnut-colored curly hair like a dusting of gold powder.

”Wow! Mr. Lin Long, your place is just too beautiful!”

”So many trees and flowers, wow, and there are butterflies too.”

Suzuki Sonoko stood at the entrance, looking at the expansive garden in front of her and the main building in the distance, her eyes wide, unable to help but exclaim, ”It’s much prettier than the decorations in our villa!”

Suzuki Ayako, who followed closely behind, was wearing a simple, elegant white long dress. Seeing the scene of the manor, a flash of surprise also crossed her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and nodded slightly to Lin Long, who was walking up to greet them:

”Mr. Lin Long, sorry to bother you again.”

”Welcome.”

”It’s no bother at all, you are very welcome.” Lin Long took advantage of Suzuki Sonoko not paying attention to walk up and pat Suzuki Ayako on the bottom, winking at her.

Suzuki Ayako was startled by Lin Long’s surprise attack, gave him an angry, bashful glare, and with a flushed face, walked over to Suzuki Sonoko, ignoring Lin Long.

Lin Long was wearing a casual beige suit, which made him look tall and upright, his smile gentle. ”It’s hot outside, let’s go in first.”

He turned to lead the way, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against Suzuki Sonoko’s arm.

”Ah!”

Suzuki Sonoko recoiled as if burned, her cheeks instantly flushing red. She secretly looked up at Lin Long’s profile—the sunlight outlined his clear jawline, a faint smile hung on the corners of his lips, and his eyes seemed filled with starlight.

”You’re swooning, Sonoko.” Suzuki Ayako teased in a low voice in her ear.

”I, I am not!”

Suzuki Sonoko hurriedly lowered her head, pretending to tidy her dress, but her heart was beating ”thump-thump” rapidly.

Walking into the garden, Suzuki Sonoko’s attention was immediately drawn to the flowers by the roadside:

”Are these champagne roses? The color is so unique!” She crouched down, carefully touching the petals like a child who had discovered a treasure.

Lin Long stood behind her, watching the top of her fluffy head, his voice filled with a smile: ”If you like them, shall I have the servants cut a few for you to take home and put in a vase?”

”Can I?” Suzuki Sonoko turned her head abruptly, her eyes shining brightly like a little greedy cat who just got candy.

”Of course.”

Lin Long looked at her face, which was inches away, deliberately leaned in closer, and lowered his voice, ”As long as it’s something Sonoko wants, if I have it, I can give it to you.”

Warm breath brushed against her ear, and Suzuki Sonoko’s face turned even redder with a ”whoosh,” even her earlobes stained pink.

She turned her head away in a panic, pretending to look at the flowers, mumbling, ”Th, thank you, Mr. Lin Long...”

Suzuki Ayako saw everything clearly from the side, shook her head helplessly, and shot a ”don’t bully her” look at Lin Long. Lin Long returned a ”I know what I’m doing” smile.

Arriving at the open-air tea room, the servants had already laid out exquisite snacks—strawberry daifuku, matcha mousse, and freshly baked cookies, all of which were sweets Suzuki Sonoko liked.

”Wow! These are all my favorites!”

Suzuki Sonoko’s eyes went straight when she saw the snacks, her previous shyness instantly thrown to the back of her mind. She picked up a strawberry daifuku and stuffed it into her mouth, her cheeks bulging like a little hamster, ”Delicious! Even better than the dessert shop!”

”Eat slowly, no one is going to snatch it from you.”

Lin Long handed her a glass of lemonade, his eyes filled with indulgent amusement, ”Be careful not to choke.”

”Mm... thanks.”

Suzuki Sonoko took the glass and took a sip, but her eyes were still fixed on the mousse on the plate.

Lin Long watched her unguarded appearance and found it quite funny. He picked up a piece of matcha mousse, scooped a little bit with a small spoon, and held it to her mouth:

”Want to try this? It was just made, the matcha flavor is very rich.”

Suzuki Sonoko subconsciously opened her mouth and bit the spoon, the delicate mousse melting on the tip of her tongue, carrying a slight bitterness of tea and a clear sweetness of milk, the taste was exquisite. She squinted her eyes in satisfaction, like a cat that had just eaten a dried fish.

When she realized how intimate her previous action was, her cheeks started to burn again, and she hurriedly backed away: ”I, I can do it myself!”

Lin Long withdrew the spoon, ate the remaining mousse in a leisurely manner, and said in a flat tone:

”Is that so? But I think feeding you is more interesting.”

”Mr. Lin Long!”

Suzuki Sonoko was both shy and angry, stomping her feet, but she wasn’t actually angry—being ”teased” by such a handsome boy, she actually felt a little bit of secret joy.

Suzuki Ayako held her teacup, pretending not to see her sister’s embarrassment, but was sighing in her heart: This girl, I’m afraid she’s going to be completely eaten by Lin Long. It seems she will have to fight side by side with her sister and compete in the same bed in the future.

The afternoon passed in such a relaxed atmosphere. Lin Long didn’t tease Suzuki Sonoko too much, just chatted with them, occasionally talking about some interesting things, making Sonoko laugh out loud.

Lin Long remembered she liked strawberries, remembered her preference for champagne roses, and even remembered the idol group she mentioned, occasionally inserting a related topic, always making Sonoko open her eyes in surprise: ”Mr. Lin Long knows them too?”

When the sun set, Suzuki Sonoko was completely relaxed, even pulling Lin Long to the poolside to watch the koi, chatting and sharing interesting stories from school, from Mouri Ran’s karate to Conan Edogawa’s cleverness, completely treating him as a friend she could confide in.

”Speaking of which, Mr. Lin Long, you are so capable, why don’t you find a girlfriend?”

Suzuki Sonoko suddenly asked curiously, gossip shining in her eyes.

Lin Long raised his eyebrows and deliberately looked at her:

”Why? Does Sonoko want to introduce one to me?”

”I, I definitely don’t!”

Suzuki Sonoko blushed and hurriedly waved her hands, ”I was just asking casually...”

”Maybe it’s because I haven’t met someone who makes my heart flutter yet.”

Lin Long’s gaze fell on her face, his eyes deep, as if hiding a starry sky, ”However, maybe I will meet her soon.”

Suzuki Sonoko’s heart skipped a beat, subconsciously avoiding his gaze and looking at the koi in the pool, but she didn’t know what to say.

Dinner was very rich. Lin Long specially asked the chef to make French cuisine, which was a compensation for the regret of not being able to go to the restaurant.

During the meal, he cut the steak for Suzuki Sonoko and poured juice for her, his actions natural and considerate, making even Suzuki Ayako a little stunned—it was the first time she had seen Lin Long so attentive to someone.

Lin Long was very rough with her, but she liked Lin Long’s roughness. Suzuki Ayako thought about it and her face turned red again.

After dinner, the sunset had just fallen on the western sky, dyeing half the sky red. Lin Long suggested going for a walk in the garden to digest.

”Look, the sunset is so beautiful!” Suzuki Sonoko pointed to the sky and shouted excitedly.

”Hmm.” Lin Long stood beside her, but his gaze fell on her side face dyed red by the sunset, ”It is very beautiful.”

Suzuki Sonoko felt his gaze, and her heartbeat started to accelerate again.

She took a deep breath, summoned the courage to turn her head to look at him, but happened to bump into his gentle eyes.

When their eyes met, the air seemed to freeze.

Lin Long looked at her panicked eyes and slightly trembling eyelashes, couldn’t help but reach out, and gently brushed a strand of broken hair from her cheek. The touch of his fingertips was soft and warm, like a feather brushing against the tip of her heart.

”Sonoko.”

Lin Long whispered her name, his voice carrying a hint of imperceptible fascination.

Suzuki Sonoko’s heart was almost jumping out of her chest, she opened her mouth, but couldn’t make any sound, only stupidly looking at him.

Just then, Suzuki Ayako’s voice came from behind:

”Sonoko, it’s getting late, we should go back.”

Like a basin of cold water poured down, Suzuki Sonoko suddenly came back to her senses, hurriedly took a step back, her cheeks red enough to bleed.

Lin Long withdrew his hand, a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes, and he didn’t expose her, just said:

”It is indeed getting late, I will have someone send you back.”

After speaking, he also glared at the mischievous Suzuki Ayako.

On the way back, Suzuki Sonoko leaned against the car window, looking at the passing scenery outside, her hand unconsciously touching the cheek that had just been touched by Lin Long, her heart felt like it was holding a little rabbit, both sweet and panicked.

”Still thinking about something?”

Suzuki Ayako looked at her sister’s absent-minded appearance and couldn’t help asking.

”No, nothing!”

Suzuki Sonoko hurriedly shook her head, but couldn’t help asking in a low voice, ”Sister, do you think... Mr. Lin Long... does he like me a little?”

Suzuki Ayako looked at her sister’s expectant look and smiled helplessly: ”You, you should think about tomorrow’s homework first.”

Although she said so, she knew clearly in her heart—Lin Long’s attitude towards Sonoko was definitely not as simple as an ordinary friend.

And in the Lin Family Manor, Lin Long stood at the door, watching the Bentley disappear into the night, the smile on the corners of his lips gradually deepening.

Teasing Suzuki Sonoko was indeed a very interesting thing. This innocent and lively young lady was like a blank sheet of paper, and it was very easy to leave a mark on it.

By then, Suzuki Sonoko would also be captured, plus Suzuki Ayako. Hehe, real sisters...

Lin Long took out his phone and sent a message to Suzuki Sonoko:

[I had a great time today, get some rest early. When you have time next time, I’ll take you to see the roses again.]

Soon, the phone vibrated, it was Suzuki Sonoko’s reply, with a blushing emoticon behind it: [Mm-hmm! Mr. Lin Long, get some rest early too! Good night~]

Lin Long looked at the emoticon and chuckled.

The game had just begun.

And Suzuki Sonoko, this little sun, had unknowingly fallen into his palm.